The Brain That Wouldn't Die/Review

I have a bizarre love-hate relationship with Mystery Science Theater 3000. The show itself exposed many film-goers to movies that probably wouldn’t have a shelf life beyond 42nd street and the drive-ins. Plus some of the bits are hilarious; further demonstrating the talents of those involved. Yet there are times when I personally feel that the crew go a little overboard on flicks that are actually pretty good. Examples include the 50's sci-fi epic This Island Earth, Mario Bava's swingin' comic book action-fest Danger: Diabolik and today’s flick. Joseph Green’s cult smash, The Brain That Wouldn't Die.

The titular body part with questionable mortality is Jan Compton. Her fiancé is Bill Cortner, an ambitious doctor with dreams of pushing the boundaries of scientific transplants. After a car accident leaves Jan without her head, the good doctor keeps her alive via fluids that make her look like she's suffering the world's most painful EEG. Bill spends the majority of the plot stalking various women to use their bodies as vessels for his girl on which to attach her head. Meanwhile, Jan develops telekinesis via the serums used in making her breath to communicate to a disfigured brute Cortner once tested on. Can Bill find the right specimen for her or has their future shared a similar burial plot with Jan's hopes and aspirations?

There are some motion pictures out there which become synonymous with social movements. Much like how Sweet Sweetback's Baadassss Song was required viewing for the Black Panthers or college stoners adopted Reefer Madness. I personally feel that The Brain That Wouldn't Die would be a perfect movie for the "right-to-die" social movement that came about in the late 80's and early 90's. Never in my life have I seen a story come across more pro-euthanasia than this. Especially when you compare the plot to some cases in real-life that mirror the struggles of our main character.

As I was watching the film, my mind kept racing back to the story of Terri Schiavo. She was a woman who went into a persistent vegetative state after suffering cardiac arrest in 1990. Between 1998 and 2005, her husband and her parents battled in court essentially over whether to keep her alive or pulling the plug on her. Knowing that makes The Brain That Wouldn't Die even more haunting and tragic. The pleas by Jan to be given a peaceful death versus Bill's attempts to keep her on this Earth become a dark precursor to Terri's life.

To piggyback on the grim tone, the acting and dialogue packs quite a punch. True certain scenes like the catfight in the strip club feel like they need more coffee to liven up the mood. However the majority of the actors do a fantastic job especially Virginia Leith as Jan. One highlight is when she telepathically talks to the monster behind the closet door. She speaks of being on the receiving end of Bill's work; despite his intention to find her a body. It gives off a feeling like a marriage on the rocks that'll soon collapse into an ugly divorce with two depressing people that were once lovers.

Of course the dialogue further piles on the depressing morals being illustrated. One line that really struck home with me is when Jan is talking to Bill's assistant, the Mal-deformed Kurt. The context is that is she asking why a nice guy like him gets wrapped up in all this madness. He only responds with, "The alcoholic has his bottle, the dope addict his needle; I had my research." Just the comparisons alone add a cold, grim yet simple layer of sympathy for this character.

Though I ain't going to neglect the good doctor nor the actor playing him: Jason Evers. An example of this is when he's talking to Kurt before he goes on his deadly rampage. He backs up his argument to gathering up a fresh specimen by telling his assistant, "There are ways." Evers delivers the line with this dark coldness and peculiar look especially in his eyebrows. It's almost akin to Michael Keaton's performance in the titular role in Tim Burton's Batman. Basically Jason sells it in this role.

Now to wrap this bloody package up by commenting on the special effects. For a picture billed with a bad reputation, it sure has creepy make-up and nice gore to boot. Without a doubt when Kurt gets his arm ripped off and the blood appearing almost grossly like tar or oil. It gives the scene a kind of icky feeling that'll send shivers throughout your skin. The monster at the end also is very creative for the 50's drive-in era. The beast's mangled face alone makes me wanna join its team and conquer the world. Then again, sympathetic monsters are my go-to in the land of horror movies.

Joseph Green really did an excellent job on The Brain That Wouldn't Die. It’s an entertaining and chilling tale of what happens when we deny the dead to right to the peace of paradise. All told with great dialogue, superb acting and awesome special effects. This is a classic example of a film that's misunderstood just because someone in a popular forum said so. I say give it a watch and decide from there what you think.

I give it 5 of Jack Kervorkian's euthanizing drugs out of 5 - Check it out!

Ken Hegarty is a contributor to the Grindhouse Cinema Database. You can find a list of his reviews HERE.